Frictional trans-epithelial tissue disruption and collection apparatus and method of inducing or augmenting an immune response

Abstract

The invention relates to trans-epithelial frictionally abrasive tissue sampling devices for performing biopsies and methods of inducing an immune response against a pathogen, wherein epithelial cells containing the pathogen are disrupted with the frictionally abrasive tissue sampling device to introduce the pathogen into the bloodstream of a patient.

1 . A method of inducing an immune response comprising:
 frictionally disrupting one or more epithelial cells in tissue containing a pathogen with an apparatus for obtaining a histological sample, the apparatus comprising:   (I) a stiff handle comprising a distal end and a proximal end;   (II) a platform comprising a center and a perimeter, where the platform is located at the distal end of the stiff handle; and   (III) a fabric securely attached to the platform, the fabric comprising:
 (i) a backing material; and 
 (ii) a plurality of first fenestrated loops attached to the backing material, where each of the plurality of first fenestrated loops comprise a first hook end, a first length and a first distance, where the first distance is measured from the top of the plurality of first fenestrated loops to the bottom of the first hook end, where the first distance is less than approximately 20% of the first length, where the stiff handle does not bend or bow when pressure is transmitted from the proximal end to the platform, where the fabric is adapted for obtaining the histological sample; and thereby eliciting the immune response. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the fabric is one or more of welded, adhered, and/or fixed with a rim or collar to the backing material and/or the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , where the platform is flat. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where the platform is flexible. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , where the platform is collapsible. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , where the plurality of first fenestrated loops are arranged in rows. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , where the plurality of first fenestrated loops are arranged equally spaced. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , where the first length is between:
 a lower limit of 2.5 mm; and   an upper limit of 25 mm.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , where the platform is circular in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , the platform is between:
 a lower limit of 5 mm in diameter; and   an upper limit of 10 mm in diameter.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , where the platform is circular in shape. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , where the platform is straight edged in shape. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , where the histological sample comprises clumps of tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of second fenestrated loops attached to the platform, where each of the plurality of second fenestrated loops comprise a second hook end, a second length and a second distance, where the second distance is measured from the top of the plurality of second fenestrated loops to the bottom of the second hook end, where the second distance is less than approximately 20% of the second length, where the second length is greater than the first length. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , where the plurality of second fenestrated loops are located in the center of the platform and adapted to insinuate into a canal. 
     
     
         16 . A method of inducing an immune response comprising:
 frictionally disrupting one or more epithelial cells in a tissue containing a pathogen in a region with an apparatus for obtaining a histological sample comprising:   (I) a platform; and   (II) a fabric attached to the platform, the fabric comprising:
 (i) a backing material securely attached to the platform; and 
   a plurality of fenestrated loops, where each fenestrated loop comprises a length, a hook end and a distance, where the plurality of fenestrated loops are securely attached to the backing material, where the distance is measured from the top of the fenestrated loop to the bottom of the hook end, where the distance is less than approximately 20% of the length, where the apparatus is adapted for applying a force to the tissue, where the apparatus is adapted for obtaining the histological sample; and thereby eliciting the immune response in the region.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , where the force is acting to splay and separate one or more of the plurality of fenestrated loops. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , where the force causes the one or more of the hook end to abrade the tissue leading to disruption of the tissue. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , where the platform is an index finger. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , where the fabric is one or more of welded, adhered, and/or fixed with a rim or collar to the backing material and/or the platform.